IPTV to Host Four Congressional Debates

By James Lynch, Reporter

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Iowa Public Television will host four congressional debates, including two featuring the major party candidates in Iowa's 1st and 2nd district.

The four Iowa Press Debates will be held on-site in each district, and will each be broadcast live statewide on Iowa Public Television.

First District candidates Rep. Bruce Braley, a Waterloo Democrat, and Republican challenger Ben Lange of Independence, will debate at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 live from the Grand Opera House in Dubuque.

In the 2nd District, Rep. Dave Loebsack, an Iowa City Democrat, and GOP challenger John Archer of Bettendorf, will debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 live from the Des Moines Area Community College Conference Center in Newton.

Each debate will be hosted by Iowa Press moderator Dean Borg. He will be joined by Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson and, for the 1st and 2nd District debates, The Gazette's James Lynch.

In addition to the live, statewide broadcasts, the debates will be rebroadcast on Iowa Press during the program's usual times – Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at noon. Debates will also be streamed live online and archived at www.iptv.org/iowapress click here.

Also, in the 3rd District Rep. Tom Latham, a Clive Republican, and Rep. Leonard Boswell, a Des Moines Democrat, will debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 from the Arts Center at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs.

In the 4th District, Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican, and Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack will debate at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 from the Santa Maria Winery in Carroll.

Members of the public are invited to be in the audience for the debates. There is no cost to attend and no reservations are required. All guests must be in their seats by 6:45 p.m., and no admittance will be allowed after 6:45 p.m. Questions and feedback from the audience will not be permitted as part of the television production.